Disney Channel has promoted Adam Bonnett to the newly created position of executive vice president, original programming of Disney Channels Worldwide.

Bonnett, who joined Disney Channel in 1997 and has developed such kid-oriented hits as "Hannah Montana," "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," will continue to oversee all development and current live action original series for the Disney Channel and Disney XD. He also handles casting and talent relations for Disney Channel and Disney XD.

Disney Channels Worldwide president and chief creative officer Gary Marsh, to whom Bonnett reports, characterized Bonnett as an "extraordinarily talented executive" whose instinct for children's and family programming is "unrivaled."

"Adam is an extraordinarily talented executive who brilliantly blends great storytelling with great comedy and, in doing so, has helped create the #1 kids network on television," Marsh said. "His instinct for finding and developing the nucleus of what makes great kid and family programming is unrivaled."

Bonnett leads a programming team that has ushered Disney Channel series such as "Good Luck Charlie," "Austin & Ally" and "A.N.T. Farm" to the small screen. For Disney XD, Bonnett has developed series that include "Lab Rats," "Crash and Bernstein" and "Kickin' It."